Floor plate



J. E. ERSKINE FLOOR PLATE 'f-J'ul 31; 1923.

' Filed Feb; '7, 1922 11w an J. E. Ersfune,

m'mR/vns WITNESSES n 25% m Patented July 31, 1923.

rares JAMES nnrson nnsmnn, or JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA rtoon PLATE.

Application filed February To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES -EDISON ER- SKINE, a citizen ofthe UnitedStates, and a resident of Jacksonville, in the county of Duval and Stateof Florida, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in 'Floor'Plates, of which the following is a specification.

My'invention relates to-a plate adapted to be attached to the runningboard of an automobile in position to be trodden upon by the foot of apassenger entering the auto mobile, and it consists in the combinations,constructions and arrangements herein described and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide a relatively simple andinexpensive device of the class described that will enhance theappearance of the running board and at the same time will be thoroughlyeffective for the purpose intended.

A further object of my invention is to provide an article of thecharacter described having scraper lugs relatively arranged in imitationof the finish molding ordinarily provided on the running board of theautomobile.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an article of thecharacter described which embodies a foot scraper portion spaced fromthe body of the article and designed to be supported beyond the edge ofthe running board, whereby dirt scraped from the foot may fall to theground without being deposited on the running board.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification,and the novel features of my invention will be particularly pointed outin the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a partof this application, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of anautomobile equipped with my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a fragmentary portion of the runningboard of the automobile illustrated in Fig. 1 showing the deviceopcratively applied thereto, and

Fig. 3 is a section along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 denotes an automobile provided with afront door 2 a rear door 3 and the usual running board 4. In thedrawings, an embodiment of my invention is indicated generally at 5. Ipro v, 1922. sem ire-534,711.

vide as many of the plates as there are doors on the automobile, eachplate being disposed on the running board directly in front of a door,as shown.

Each of the platesis formed of a suitable material, preferably anon-corrosive 'metal, many of which are well known-in the art to which'my invention relates, and has the configuration clearly shown in thedraw ings.

In the form of the-invention illustrated, the plate 5 comprises a bodyportion 6 havmg a flat under surface or face adapted to contact thesurface of the running board 4 evenly at'all points. The body portion 6is superposed on the running board with an edge thereof, indicated at 7,substantially flush with the outer edge of the running board and isattached to'the running board through the agency of screws 8 or likefas-- tening means. A foot scraper portion 9 extends substantiallyparallel with, the edge 7 of the body portion 6 for the greater part ofits length and is merged into'the body port1on 1ntermediately by areinforcing and spaclng connector 10. The end portions of the footscraper 9 are curved rearwardly and merged into the body portion 6 at 11and 12 respectively. It is to be observed at this point that theportions 11 and 12 are inclined downwardly, which adds to the pleasmgppearance of the plates when operatively applied. The foot scraper 9.ispositioned in advance or beyond the edge of the running board 4: and inconsequence, dirt scraped thereb from the shoe of a personentering theautomobile may fall through the spaces or apertures 13 and 14 defined bythe provision of the portions 10, 11 and. 12 without being depositedupon the plates or upon the running board 4. The portions 11 and 12 havetapering integral extensions 11 and 12 respectively, extendingoppositely along the outer edge ofthe running board 4-.

The body portion 6 is formed with a plurality of spaced apartlongitudinally extending parallel ribs or ridges 15 and a rib or bead 16extending parallel with the side edges at the front of the body portion,as shown. This bead 1s merged at its ends, as

indicated at 17 and 18, respectively, into a similar bead 19 whichextends along the margin of the scraper 9and across the portions 11 and12. a

Certain of the ridges 15 terminate adjacent to the central portion ofthe body portion 6 and adjacent ridges are connected by arcuate ridgesindicated at 20, 21, 22 and 23 to define a circular field 2st on whichmay be stamped, embossed, or otherwise marked, a monogram, such asshown.

The four slots in the back part of the plate, which are indicated at 27,27, 27 and 27 are each adapted to retain a short stiff brush 28 whichmay be replaced by raising the plate.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, theoperation thereof will be readily understood. The de vice may be readilyapplied, since only two screws are used in attaching the same to arunning board. The ridges 15 and the scraper member 9 engage the sole ofthe shoe and preventslipping when the running board is wet, and at thesame time provide effective means for scraping dirt from the shoe. Animportant advantage obtained is derived from the fact that the scraper 9is positioned in advance of the edge of the running board and of thebody portion of the plate, whereby the dirt scraped from a foot will notfall-upon the plate on the running board or adhere to the plate, butwill drop through the apertures or spaces 13 and 14 to the ground.

It will thus be obvious that I provide a device which is adapted for usein performing all of the functions for which articles of this nature areordinarily employed, and which at the same time is pleasing inappearance and serves to enhance rather than detract from or mar theappearance of an automobile to which applied.

I claim A floor plate for running boards of vehicles comprising asubstantially fiat substantially rectangular body comprising a series ofspaced parallel ribs on the upper face thereof, said ribs extendinglongitudinally of the body and terminating at their opposite ends shortof the corresponding ends of the body, the remote ribs of said seriesbeing located at appreciable distances from the side edges of the body,the space between ne of SiLlClIGIl'lOlZG ribs and the adjacent edge ofthe body being provided with slots adapted to removably receive brushes,and scraper means integral at its ends with said body and having theintermediate portion thereof disposed in substantially parallel spacedrelation to the second side edge of the body.

JAMES EDISON ERSKINE.

